The City of Advance has a wonderful history that surrounds the construction of the railroad in the northern portion of Stoddard County. Advance and progress have walked hand-in-hand since 1883. The first progressive step was the moving of the town site to the railroad to take advantage of better transportation. Since then, better schools, churches, businesses and means of travel have transformed a village of less than 100 persons to the “Biggest Little City” of over 1200 people.
The town was presumably founded during the construction of the Old Frisco Railroad, which was completed in 1884. The owner of a cotton plantation, Captain W. H. Whitewell, of Mexican War fame, dedicated 60 acres that became the City of Advance. By 1911, Advance was a thriving railroad town of 621 people with lumber and cotton as the major industries.
The last census reported a population of 1,244. Advance is governed by a Mayor-Council form of government. The city has a fully equipped Police Department with two full-time and two reserve officers. The volunteer Fire Department has 15 well-trained men with five vehicles.
Advance is located in a predominately rural area which has a good supply of available labor. Approximately 105 commercial establishments provide a variety of services as well as wholesale and retail opportunities. The Water and Sewer Department is municipally-owned with rates among the lowest in the area.
Electricity is supplied by Scott-New Madrid-Mississippi Electric Cooperative.
Natural gas is supplied by AmerenUE.
Advance has a fully developed Industrial Park, with several sites that are available for new businesses. Information about properties and building sites is available from the Advance Improvement Corporation, a nonprofit development corporation. AIC is comprised of a local board that seeks to attract and retain businesses and may be contacted via their website or by calling 573.722.1015.
The school district is in the heart of the Advance community and has an elementary school and high school. Vocational programs are offered on the local high school campus and at Cape Girardeau. Four colleges and community colleges are located within 100 miles of Advance.
The community has four city parks with a total of 32 acres of open land, landscaped areas, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, volleyball fields, basketball courts, picnic shelters and playground areas. Several recreation spots are within an easy drive of Advance including Lake Wappapello, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and Duck Creek Wildlife Management Area. Airport, river traffic and all interstate highways are within 30 minutes of Advance.
Come see us. We have so many ways of treating people, you are bound to like one of them!
Advance City Hall
103 No. Oak St
P.O. Box 348
Advance, MO 63739
(573)722-3156
Population: 1,347